Guest guest Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 Hi, Kathy. My "thin" clothes contain a number of items I'm really attached to. Instead of throwing them out I've put them in storage. I may never wear them again, but I don't think I have to abandon all hope of wearing them again just because I'm also respecting where I am now. I hated buying larger clothes but I find I feel so much better in them. A tight waistband is a constant criticism. So yes, doing everything to feel good about the size I am now - some nice clothes that fit me well, but I can also expect that as I get better at IE my body will find its natural weight, and who know? some of those pretty smaller things might just fit again. You've had a lot of stresses. We're always telling each other to be gentle with ourselves on this forum, but I think it can't be said enough: you're okay, it's okay now, it will be even more okay going forward, and this is a process and a practice over time. Good luck. April M. Hi Group-I am a regular reader, but not a regular poster. I'm currently in need of some feedback.I have gained more than a few pounds in the past several years. I have had multiple stressors (recent divorce, financial changes, 2 kids busy with activities, and a job that can be emotionally draining). I also recently injured my ankle - tearing ligaments - which has limited my ability to exercise.I can't stand the way I feel physically. This disgust quickly leads to the diet mentality, in spite of my belief that IE is the right path for me. Part of me thinks I should call Craig or Nutrasystem and just do that for a few months to take off some of this weight. The other part knows I'll feel deprived and set myself up to fail.My experience with IE has been mixed. When it works for me, I am free from the constant obsession with food (what did I eat? what will I eat? what should I be eating?). This is a wonderful, eye opening place to be. But I can't seem to maintain the progress for more than a short time before I go back to emotional eating/binging. I have trouble getting back on track, often with long periods before I try IE again.One thing that has recently stuck out for me as a topic in these posts is that it is important to love your body at ANY size. And I can say that this has always been an issue for me even when I was within a healthier weight range. I'm wondering, what are the opinions out there about holding on to clothes that don't fit anymore? I have this closet full of things I can't wear because I've told myself I'll lose the weight. In the meantime even the clothes that I am wearing are borderline uncomfortable and my closet is overstuffed. Both of these things serve as a constant reminder that I'm not where I want to me.What have others out there done with clothes that are too small? When I'm not contemplating smart lipo or that new lipo that uses a laser and doesn't penetrate the skin (only half kidding here) I'm thinking that maybe accepting myself at my current weight means getting rid of all the stuff that doesn't fit and finding a few items that make me feel pretty now.Thanks for listening :)KathyI------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2011 Report Share Posted April 16, 2011 Hi Kathy,If I didn't know otherwise, I would swear I wrote your post because I'm in the same boat right now.When I decided to stop dieting and follow the IE path, I took all my smaller sized clothes that I knew I'd never wear again and donated them to charity. Think your answer is in your last sentence, "accepting myself at my current weight means getting rid of all the stuff that doesn't fit and finding a few items that make me feel pretty now."Kathy, hope in some small way this helps you.Jeanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2011 Report Share Posted April 16, 2011 Kathy, I enjoyed reading your open and honest post here. I can tell you that I have clung to 'beloved' clothing myself! I think it is the DESIRED feelings that such items conjure for me that had me keeping them when I could not, let alone comfortably wear them. And as long as I had them where I saw them, the longing continued. " If I could wear this I'd be . . . attractive, admired, successful etc. etc. " Yet when I did finally take them out of my drawers and closet, bag them up and donated them, I really can't tell you what they were now! Another thing to consider is how you wouldn't wear something that was years out of 'fashion' or associated with a previous stage in your life - like high school or such. How about if the item turned out to be torn or say discolored? I've found that when I dress nicely - NOW - for the body I am, I feel pretty good. If you want to address this step in your IE journey I recommend reading When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies. In fact there is an entire list of IE related books on a file named Book List at this site (left column - Files). BEST to you - Katcha IEing since March 2007 > > Hi Group- > > I am a regular reader, but not a regular poster. I'm currently in need of some feedback. > > I have gained more than a few pounds in the past several years. I have had multiple stressors (recent divorce, financial changes, 2 kids busy with activities, and a job that can be emotionally draining). I also recently injured my ankle - tearing ligaments - which has limited my ability to exercise. > > I can't stand the way I feel physically. This disgust quickly leads to the diet mentality, in spite of my belief that IE is the right path for me. Part of me thinks I should call Craig or Nutrasystem and just do that for a few months to take off some of this weight. The other part knows I'll feel deprived and set myself up to fail. > > My experience with IE has been mixed. When it works for me, I am free from the constant obsession with food (what did I eat? what will I eat? what should I be eating?). This is a wonderful, eye opening place to be. But I can't seem to maintain the progress for more than a short time before I go back to emotional eating/binging. I have trouble getting back on track, often with long periods before I try IE again. > > One thing that has recently stuck out for me as a topic in these posts is that it is important to love your body at ANY size. And I can say that this has always been an issue for me even when I was within a healthier weight range. I'm wondering, what are the opinions out there about holding on to clothes that don't fit anymore? I have this closet full of things I can't wear because I've told myself I'll lose the weight. > > In the meantime even the clothes that I am wearing are borderline uncomfortable and my closet is overstuffed. Both of these things serve as a constant reminder that I'm not where I want to me. > > What have others out there done with clothes that are too small? When I'm not contemplating smart lipo or that new lipo that uses a laser and doesn't penetrate the skin (only half kidding here) I'm thinking that maybe accepting myself at my current weight means getting rid of all the stuff that doesn't fit and finding a few items that make me feel pretty now. > > Thanks for listening > > Kathy > > I > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2011 Report Share Posted April 16, 2011 Absolutely true! Thanks for framing that in such a direct and easy to remember way. Katcha IEing since March 2007 > A tight waistband is a constant criticism. > April M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2011 Report Share Posted April 16, 2011 Kathy, The minute I went out and bought clothes That fit me now was the minute things shifted for me and intuitive eating became a way of life for me and not such a struggle and I stopped being so fearful of the weight gain and dropped a few pounds. I still hung onto my slinkier clothes in the back of my closet until I was ready to get rid of them which was very recently. Hope my experience helps you make your own decision. Alana > > Hi Group- > > I am a regular reader, but not a regular poster. I'm currently in need of some feedback. > > I have gained more than a few pounds in the past several years. I have had multiple stressors (recent divorce, financial changes, 2 kids busy with activities, and a job that can be emotionally draining). I also recently injured my ankle - tearing ligaments - which has limited my ability to exercise. > > I can't stand the way I feel physically. This disgust quickly leads to the diet mentality, in spite of my belief that IE is the right path for me. Part of me thinks I should call Craig or Nutrasystem and just do that for a few months to take off some of this weight. The other part knows I'll feel deprived and set myself up to fail. > > My experience with IE has been mixed. When it works for me, I am free from the constant obsession with food (what did I eat? what will I eat? what should I be eating?). This is a wonderful, eye opening place to be. But I can't seem to maintain the progress for more than a short time before I go back to emotional eating/binging. I have trouble getting back on track, often with long periods before I try IE again. > > One thing that has recently stuck out for me as a topic in these posts is that it is important to love your body at ANY size. And I can say that this has always been an issue for me even when I was within a healthier weight range. I'm wondering, what are the opinions out there about holding on to clothes that don't fit anymore? I have this closet full of things I can't wear because I've told myself I'll lose the weight. > > In the meantime even the clothes that I am wearing are borderline uncomfortable and my closet is overstuffed. Both of these things serve as a constant reminder that I'm not where I want to me. > > What have others out there done with clothes that are too small? When I'm not contemplating smart lipo or that new lipo that uses a laser and doesn't penetrate the skin (only half kidding here) I'm thinking that maybe accepting myself at my current weight means getting rid of all the stuff that doesn't fit and finding a few items that make me feel pretty now. > > Thanks for listening > > Kathy > > I > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2011 Report Share Posted April 17, 2011 I have not changed out all my clothes yet...still have some stuff that doesn't fit and I still need to buy some new stuff. BUT...I have bought some stuff that fits great and is good for my body type and I feel great! I don't weigh myself but I am guessing that I am probably about 20-30 lbs over what my 'goal weight' was when I was dieting BUT I am actually feeling better than I have in a long time! I think that this is my natural weight and I am learning to be okay with that. The clothes that fit and feel good and look good help me alot. I still have a long way to go and IE is definitely a struggle but it is totaly worth it! Be blessed, Dawn To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Sat, April 16, 2011 8:24:56 AMSubject: Re: at a crossroads Hi Kathy,If I didn't know otherwise, I would swear I wrote your post because I'm in the same boat right now.When I decided to stop dieting and follow the IE path, I took all my smaller sized clothes that I knew I'd never wear again and donated them to charity. Think your answer is in your last sentence, "accepting myself at my current weight means getting rid of all the stuff that doesn't fit and finding a few items that make me feel pretty now."Kathy, hope in some small way this helps you.Jeanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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